Ivan Kharitonov facts for kids
Ivan Mikhailovich Kharitonov (Russian: Иван Михайлович Харитонов; 1872 – 17 July 1918) was a very important person at the court of Tsar Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia. He was the Head Cook, responsible for preparing all the meals for the royal family.
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Ivan Kharitonov chose to stay with the Romanov family. He followed them when they were sent away from their home. Sadly, he was killed with the royal family by a group called the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1918, in a city called Ekaterinburg.
A Royal Chef
Ivan Kharitonov was born in 1872. He became the main chef for Tsar Nicholas II and his family. This was a very important job, as he was in charge of all the food for the royal household. Being the Head Cook meant he was a trusted and close member of the Tsar's staff.
Life During the Revolution
In 1917, a big event called the Russian Revolution of 1917 changed Russia forever. The Tsar and his family were no longer in power. They were sent away from their palace and moved to different places. Ivan Kharitonov decided to stay with the Romanovs, even during these difficult times. He went with them to a place called Tobolsk.
Ivan Kharitonov's wife and daughter also followed him to Tobolsk. However, when the Bolsheviks moved the prisoners to Ekaterinburg in the spring of 1918, his family did not go with him. This was the last time he saw them.
Remembering Ivan Kharitonov
Ivan Kharitonov was killed with the Romanov family on July 17, 1918. Many years later, in 1991, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia honored him. They recognized him as a passion-bearer, which means someone who suffered greatly for their faith or loyalty.
On July 17, 1998, a special funeral was held in Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. This was eighty years after the deaths. Ivan Kharitonov's grandson attended this funeral. It was a way to remember his grandfather, the Romanovs, and other loyal servants like Anna Demidova and Alexei Trupp who were also killed.
See also
- Romanov sainthood
